How are result curves used?

Answer

To analyze the results on elements, "result curves" can be used. This is a helpful tool when a comparison is needed between different load cases or combinations.

In the current example the values of forces for linear and planar elements are displayed in a graphical representation using result curves.

After the finite element analysis, select the elements for which the result curves will be displayed. You can select only one element or a chained group of members.

Right click in the modeling area and, from the context menu, select result curves.

A dialog box will appear with the graphs:

Observe that on the abscissa axis the length of the selected member is measured and on the ordinate the values of the forces are measured. In the left figure, the graphs for one selected element are shown and on the right the graphs for a multiple chained member selection are shown.

Clicking the "Results options" button will open the "Curves" window, where the user can select the number of graph windows to display with the corresponding results (displacements, forces, stresses, deflections).

By clicking the "Case/Combinations" button a new window will open, where the user can select the load cases/combinations taken into account.

Validate the options by clicking "OK", the new result curves group will be generated.

The graphs can be customized to suit the user's requirements; this can be done for each individual graph window by double clicking on it, a new window will appear with the resized graph.
In this window we can change the layout of the Cartesian coordinate system, export values to "Excel", load cases/combinations selections and display the resultants.

You can also display the envelope of the load cases by clicking the envelope button, as shown in the upper figure.
By clicking on the ruler button, we can scroll for values directly on the graph or input the abscissa where the results are required, showing also the corresponding load case or combination for the envelopes.

The result curves are also used to view the results on planar elements, the only difference is that in order to view the result curves, we have to generate a section cut in the plane's element by selecting Generate - Section cut from the menu bar.